Buffalo hosts co-feature pace and trot

HAMBURG, N.Y. — Alta Engen A (Alta Christiano-Its Karma) was on the engine in Buffalo Raceway’s $12,200 featured harness racing pace on Saturday afternoon (May 4) with a gate to wire victory over Davey Day Trader in a seasonal best of 1:54.1.

In the co-featured $12,200 trot, Gracious Triumph (Triumphant Caviar-Sweet Touch) made it two consecutive victories with an impressive 3-1/2 length nod over Con Air Hall.

Alta Engen A, after six straight starts from either the five or six post, finally drew the rail and wasn’t about to let that spot go to waste. Taking right off from the start, Alta Engen A (Kevin Cummings) set the tempo with splits of :28.0, :56.2 and 1:25.3 over the fast track.

Heading down the long Buffalo Raceway home stretch, Davey Day Trader, (James McNeight Jr.) tried to cut into the lead but Alta Engen A dug in and wasn’t going to be denied. Street Art (Dan Yetman) took the third-place prize.

Owned by Mike Torcello and trained by Samuel Smith, it was the fourth win in 15 attempts this season for the 6-year-old gelded Alta Engen A. The victory increased his 2024 bankroll to $32,294 and $225,221 lifetime. He paid $4.30 to win.

In the top trotting event on the program, Gracious Triumph (Shawn McDonough) used a big three wide move at the three-quarter mark and blew past Con Air Hall in a season’s best of 1:58.0.

Blogmaster (Jim Morrill Jr.), starting from the seven post, was able to grab the lead and set up shop on the front end with times of :29.2, :59.1 and 1:29.1. But things fell apart quickly for the tempo setter.

Con Air Hall (Drew Monti) used a first over blitz to go past Blogmaster but it also brought along Gracious Triumph. That proved to be costly as Gracious Triumph used that live cover, going three-wide, and then rolled on past a stunned Con Air Hall down the lane. Curry Hanover (Kvin Cummings), the even money favorite, was third.

Trained by McDonough and owned by Harry Wortzman, it was the fourth win in 10 tries this season for the 6-year-old mare Gracious Triumph. The victory jumped her seasonal earnings to $21,068 and $204,944 in her career. She paid $8.60 to win.

Drivers Kevin Cummings and McDonough each found the winner’s circle twice with McDonough and Smith each collecting two training scores.

Racing resumes on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with a 10-race card slated. There’s a $4,034 carryover in the Pick 5 which begins in the second race.

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 by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway